media transfer and control system

ABSTRACT

A media transfer and control system that includes a handheld device and an audio/visual system. The media transfer and control system provides for: (i) the transfer of media files between the handheld device and the audio/visual system, (ii) the transmission of control commands from the handheld device to the audio/visual system for controlling the function and operation of the audio/visual system through a user interface provided on the handheld device, and (iii) the unsolicited transfer of media descriptive data between the handheld device and the audio/visual system to create a synchronized global view on the handheld electronic device and/or the audio/visual system of all of the media content currently stored on and/or available through both the handheld device and the audio/visual system.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 11/733,403, entitled “A Media Transfer And Control System,”filed on Apr. 10, 2007.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The embodiments described herein relate generally to audio/visual (A/V)systems and, more particularly, to a system for wirelessly transferringmedia files (audio and/or video files) and media descriptive databetween an audio/visual system, such as an automobiles audio/visualsystem or a home entertainment system, and a handheld electronic deviceand for wirelessly controlling the operation of the audio/visual systemfrom the handheld electronic device.

2. Description of the Related Art

Numerous types of handheld electronic devices are known. Examples ofsuch handheld electronic devices include, for instance, personal dataassistants (PDAs), handheld computer, two-way pagers, cellulartelephones, and the like. Such handheld electronic devices are generallyintended to be portable and thus are relatively small. Examples ofhandheld electronic devices are included in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,452,588 and6,489,950.

Many handheld electronic devices include and provide access to a widerange of integrated applications, including, without limitation, email,telephone, short message service (SMS), multimedia messaging service(MMS), browser, calendar and address book applications, such that a usercan easily manage information and communications from a single,integrated device. These applications are typically selectivelyaccessible and executable through a user interface that allows a user toeasily navigate among and within these applications.

In addition, handheld electronic devices often include short-rangecommunications functionality that enables the handheld electronic deviceto communicate wirelessly over a short-range wireless network with othersimilarly equipped mobile and stationary electronic devices. Forexample, many handheld electronic devices include a BLUETOOTH®communications module for enabling the handheld electronic device tocommunicate with other BLUETOOTH® enabled mobile or stationaryelectronic devices over a BLUETOOTH® short-range wireless network.

As is known in the art, BLUETOOTH® is a wireless technology standarddeveloped by a “Special Interest Group” comprised of members of thetelecommunications, computing, and networking industries that allowsmobile and stationary electronic devices to communicate with each otherover short distances (typically less than 30 feet). BLUETOOTH® usesradio frequency (RF) waves in the 2.4 Gigahertz range, and is designedto be a secure and inexpensive way of connecting between devices withoutwires. BLUETOOTH® requires that each device be equipped with aBLUETOOTH® communications element, such as the STLC2500 chip sold bySTMicroelectronics of Geneva, Switzerland, which includes an RFtransceiver element for sending and receiving information according tothe BLUETOOTH® standard.

When BLUETOOTH®-capable devices come within range of one another, thedevices form an ad hoc network, called a piconet, which may fill a roomor may encompass no more distance than that between a cell phone on abelt-clip and a headset on a person's head. Once a piconet isestablished, the members (which may range from two to eight devices)randomly hop frequencies in unison so they stay in touch with oneanother and avoid other piconets that may be operating in the same area.

Moreover, some known handheld electronic devices enable the user thereofto store digital media files on the device, such as music or other audiofiles stored in the well known MP3 format or video files stored in thewell known MPEG format (as used herein, the term media file shall mean adigital audio or video file stored in a known or hereafter developedformat; a video file may or may not include an audio component), so thatthe user can, as desired, access the media files and listen to and/orwatch the content represented thereby. For example, a user may access astored music file to listen to the music represented by the file using,for example, a set of headphones or loudspeakers operatively coupled tothe handheld electronic device. Similarly, a user may access a storedvideo file to view and listen to the video content (which typically alsoincludes an audio component) represented by the file using, for example,a display (such as an LCD) provided as part of the handheld electronicdevice or a set of headphones or loudspeakers operatively coupled to thehandheld electronic device (a speaker provided as part of the handheldelectronic device may also be used).

In addition, audio/visual systems, such as an audio/visual systemprovided in an automobile or a home entertainment system, capable ofstoring and playing digital media files, such as music files stored inan MP3 format or video files stored in an MPEG format, are well known.As used herein, the term audio/visual system shall refer to a systemthat is capable of performing either or both of audio and video content.Such audio/visual systems are typically controlled by a user interfaceprovided as a part thereof.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,110,755 and United States Patent Application PublicationNumber 2005/0278080 describe examples of known audio/visual systems thatinclude the capability to receive downloads of music files from separatedevices (e.g., using a BLUETOOTH® connection as described above) such ashandheld electronic devices. In such audio/visual systems, once themusic files are downloaded from the separate device, control of thefunction and operation of the audio system still must be performedthrough the user interface of the audio/visual system itself. As will beappreciated, this can, at times, be difficult and/or inconvenient, suchas when the device from which music files have been downloaded and theuser thereof are not located in close proximity to the user interface ofthe audio system. In addition, no current systems provide for thetransfer of media descriptive data between a handheld electronic deviceand an audio/visual system to facilitate the creation a synchronizedglobal view on the handheld electronic device and/or the audio/visualsystem of all of the media content that is currently stored on and/oravailable through both the handheld electronic device and theaudio/visual system. As will be appreciated, such a synchronized globalview would appealing and advantageous to a user of the handheldelectronic device and the audio/visual system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A full understanding of the invention can be gained from the followingDescription of the Preferred Embodiments when read in conjunction withthe accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a front view of a handheld electronic device according to oneembodiment that may be used in the system shown in FIG. 3 or FIG. 4;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the handheld electronic device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a system for wirelesslytransferring media and media descriptive data between an audio/visualsystem and a handheld electronic device and for wirelessly controllingthe operation of the audio/visual system from the handheld electronicdevice;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram a system for wirelessly transferring media andmedia descriptive data between an audio/visual system and a handheldelectronic device and for wirelessly controlling the operation of theaudio/visual system from the handheld electronic device;

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram which illustrates a communications stackhaving a new protocol layer that is used on a BLUETOOTH® piconet;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart which illustrates the use of the communicationsstack shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 has block diagrams illustrating the use of single digitalchannels for data and control information; and

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating use of a single channel for data andcontrol information.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1 and 2 generally depict an embodiment of a handheld electronicdevice 4 that may be used in the system shown in FIG. 3 and described indetail elsewhere herein. The handheld electronic device 4 includes ahousing 8, a display 12, an input apparatus 16, and a processor 20 (FIG.2) which may be, without limitation, a microprocessor (μP), amicrocontroller, or a custom designed integrated circuit. The processor20 is responsive to inputs received from the input apparatus 16 andprovides outputs to the display 12. Examples of handheld devices areincluded in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,452,588 and 6,489,950, which areincorporated by reference herein.

As used herein, the words “handheld electronic device” and “handhelddevice” are understood to represent the same functional device, with“electronic” being one common current embodiment. Further included inthe meaning is any current or future embodiment of the functionalitydescribed herein, including but not limited to optical computing andconnection means or other logic processing means.

“Exemplar” is used herein to indicate an example, one of a possibleplurality, of methods, devices, or items that share some functional orother relational aspect. It is not used to mean a “best” or “preferred”embodiment.

As can be understood from FIG. 1, the input apparatus 16 includes akeyboard 24 having a plurality of keys 26, and a rotatable trackwheel28. As used herein, the expression “key” and variations thereof shallrefer broadly to any of a variety of input members such as buttons,switches, and the like without limitation. The keys 26 and the rotatabletrackwheel 28 are input devices or members generally referred to as ofthe input apparatus 16. Further, input devices include device types notshown, including but not limited to touchscreens, touchpads, voiceinput, or any other device intended to enable human input. Each of theinput devices has a function assigned thereto. As used herein, theexpression “function” and variations thereof can refer to any type ofprocess, task, procedure, routine, subroutine, function call, or othertype of software or firmware operation that can be performed by theprocessor 20 of the handheld electronic device 4.

An input subsystem comprises the input devices described above or any ofthe apparatus 16, being the set of input devices on any embodiment of ahandheld device, plus the needed software, firmware, or hardware supportto enable operable communication with the processor.

As is shown in FIG. 2, the processor 20 is in operable, typicallyelectronic, communication with a memory 44. The memory 44 can be any ofa variety of types of internal and/or external storage media such as,without limitation, RAM, ROM, EPROM(s), EEPROM(s), and the like, thatprovide a storage register for data storage such as in the fashion of aninternal storage area of a computer, and can be volatile memory ornonvolatile memory. The memory 44 further includes a number ofapplications executable by processor 20 for the processing of data. Theapplications can be in any of a variety of forms such as, withoutlimitation, software, firmware, and the like, and the term “application”herein shall include one or more routines, subroutines, function callsor the like, alone or in combination.

The word “software” is used herein to mean the entirety of executablecode residing anywhere on the handheld device, including but not limitedto operating system software, firmware, lower-level device driver andsimilar software, as well as application software that may use, trigger,or invoke, as needed, portions of software such as the operating system,device driver code, or any other code used to enable, or to execute, anyfunction or action by the processor. Further, for the purposes of thisdisclosure the words “in electronic communication” include any operablecommunications means, including but not limited to optical or otherlogical connection and computation technologies.

In FIG. 1 the display 12 is depicted as displaying a home screen 43 thatincludes a number of applications depicted as discrete icons 46,including, without limitation, an icon representing a phone application48, an address book application 50, a messaging application 52 whichincludes email, SMS and MMS applications, and a calendar application 54.In FIG. 1, the home screen 43 is currently active and would constitute aportion of an application. Other applications, such as phone application48, address book application 50, messaging application 52, calendarapplication 54 and media application 56, described in greater detailelsewhere herein, can be initiated from the home screen 43 by providingan input through the input apparatus 16, such as by rotating thetrackwheel 28 in the direction indicated by the arrow 29 in FIG. 1 andproviding a selection input by translating the trackwheel 28 in thedirection indicated by the arrow 30 in FIG. 1.

As is also shown in FIG. 2, the processor 20 is in electroniccommunication with long-range communications subsystem 45. Long-rangecommunications functions for handheld electronic device 4, includingdata and voice communications, are performed through long-rangecommunications subsystem 45. Long-range communications subsystem 45includes an RF transmitter and an RF receiver, or an RF transceiver, andone or more antennas. As used herein, RF transceiver includes both atransmitter and receiver, or, in reference to just sending or justreceiving, a transmitter or a receiver respectively. Other knowncomponents, such as a digital signal processor and a local oscillator,may also be part of long-range communications subsystem 45. The specificdesign and implementation of long-range communications subsystem 45 isdependent upon the communications network in which handheld electronicdevice 4 is intended to operate. For example, handheld electronic device4 may include a long-range communications subsystem 45 designed tooperate with the Mobiltex™, DataTAC™ or General Packet Radio Service(GPRS) mobile data communication networks and also designed to operatewith any of a variety of voice communications networks, such as AMPS,TDMA, CDMA, PCS, GSM, and other suitable networks. Other types of dataand voice networks, both separate and integrated, may also be utilizedwith handheld device 4.

The processor 20 is also in electronic communication with a short-rangecommunications subsystem 47. The short-range communications subsystem 47enables the handheld electronic device 4 to communicate wirelessly overa short-range, e.g., on the order of thirty feet or less, wirelessnetwork with other similarly equipped mobile and stationary electronicdevices, including, without limitation, other handheld electronicdevices, computers, telephones, printers and, as shown in FIG. 3 anddescribed in connection therewith, the audio system 60. The short-rangecommunications subsystem 47 may, for example, include an infrared deviceand associated circuits and components, or a BLUETOOTH® communicationmodule to provide for communication with similarly-enabled systems anddevices. In the preferred embodiment, the short-range communicationssubsystem 47 includes a BLUETOOTH® communication module for enablinghandheld electronic device 4 to communicate with other BLUETOOTH®enabled mobile or stationary electronic devices over a BLUETOOTH®short-range wireless network. The BLUETOOTH communications modulecomprises a BLUETOOTH® communications element, such as the STLC2500 chipsold by STMicroelectronics of Geneva, Switzerland, that includes an RFtransceiver element (or, alternatively, a separate RF transmitter and RFreceiver).

Furthermore, according to one aspect of the disclosed embodiments, thehandheld electronic device 4 is provided with the capability to storemedia (e.g., audio and/or video content) in a digital format andselectively show/play such media through, for example, the display 12and/or a loudspeaker system (not shown) or headphones (not shown). Inparticular, a number of digital media files may be stored in the memory44, and such media files may include digital audio files, digital videofiles, or both. The media files may be stored in an uncompressed formator in a compressed format. For example, in the case of audio files inthe form of digital music files, the files may be stored in anuncompressed format similar to the format that may be used to storemusic files on a CD, or, in a compressed format such as the well knownMP3 format defined in MPEG1 or the well known AAC (Advanced AudioCoding) format defined in MPEG2, among others. As seen in FIG. 2, thehandheld electronic device 4 further includes an A/V output subsystem 49that is in electronic communication with the processor 20. The A/Voutput subsystem 49 preferably includes one or more amplifiers foramplifying analog signals that represent media content, such as music orother audio content, and may include one or more loudspeakers foroutputting sound based on the amplified analog signals and/or one ormore audio output ports for outputting sound based on the amplifiedanalog signals to, for example, a set of headphones or externalspeakers. In addition, the A/V output subsystem 49 is operativelycoupled to the display 12 to enable the display 12 to display videocontent that may form part of the media file in question. The mediafiles will usually have other information associated with them, such asartist, titles, timing (play time), and similar data. This informationmay be in the media file, or may be in information associated with thefile. In operation, when a user of the handheld electronic device 4desires to access stored media content, e.g., listen to selected storedmusic or watch selected stored video content, the user initiates themedia application 56 in the manner described elsewhere herein. Using themedia application 56, the user is able to select one or more of thedigital media files stored in the memory 44 for play. In response tosuch a selection, the processor 20 is adapted to access the desireddigital media file or files from the memory 44, decompress the mediafile or files if necessary (e.g., if the files are stored in the MP3format; as used herein, the term decompress shall include necessarydecompression and/or decoding steps), and create one or more analogsignals based on the accessed (and decompressed, if appropriate) digitalmedia files using a suitable digital-to-analog converter (preferablyprovided as part of the processor 20). The one or more analog signalsare then provided to the A/V output subsystem 49, which in turn eithertransmits an audible audio (e.g., music) signal through internalspeakers or provides an audio (e.g., music) signal to the output port orports so that it may be heard through, for example a set of headphonesor a set of external speakers. In addition, if the media file is a videofile, a properly formatted video signal obtained from the video file issent to the display 12 for display thereon (which typically is inconjunction with an audio component output as described above).

A/V subsystem 49, as used herein, includes any output device on thehandheld whose output or manipulation by the processor is intended to beperceivable by a user. For example, output devices could include ascreen, speakers, braille pad, vibration device, or any other outputdevices. The collection of output devices on a particular handhelddevice, and the associated functions, is called an A/V subsystem.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a system 58 that includesan audio/visual system 60. In one particular embodiment, theaudio/visual system 60 is an automobile audio/visual system forming apart of an automobile (not shown). In another particular embodiment, theaudio/visual system 60 is a home audio/visual system, commonly referredto as a home entertainment system. It will be appreciated, however, thatthese embodiments are illustrative only, and that the audio/visualsystem 60 may be another type of audio/visual system. The audio/visualsystem 60 includes a controller 65, which may be, without limitation, amicroprocessor, a microcontroller or a custom designed integratedcircuit. The controller 65 is adapted to control the operation of theaudio/visual system 60 generally, and in particular in the mannerdescribed elsewhere herein. The audio/visual system 60 also includes anI/O section 70 that is in electronic communication with the controller65. The I/O section 70 is preferably provided with a number of inputbuttons or keys for accepting user input instructions for selectivelycontrolling various functions of the audio/visual system 60 and with adisplay, such as an LCD, for visually providing information to a userrelating to the operation of the audio/visual system 60.

The controller 65 is also in electronic communication with a short-rangecommunications subsystem 75 which is similar to and compatible with theshort-range communications subsystem 47 of the handheld electronicdevice 4 (FIG. 2). The short-range communications subsystem 75 enablesthe audio/visual system 60 to communicate wirelessly over a short-range,e.g., on the order of thirty feet or less, wireless network with othersimilarly equipped mobile and stationary electronic devices, including,without limitation, the handheld electronic device 4 (to provide thefunctionality described elsewhere herein), using any of a number ofknown or hereafter developed wireless technologies and/or protocols. Forexample, the short-range communications subsystem 75 may include aninfrared device and associated circuits and components, or a BLUETOOTH®communication module to provide for communication with similarly-enabledsystems and devices. In the preferred embodiment, the short-rangecommunications subsystem 75 includes a BLUETOOTH® communication modulefor enabling the audio/visual system 60 to communicate with otherBLUETOOTH® enabled mobile or stationary electronic devices, includingthe handheld electronic device 4, over a BLUETOOTH® short-range wirelessnetwork. The BLUETOOTH® communications module comprises a BLUETOOTH®communications element, such as the STLC2500 chip sold bySTMicroelectronics of Geneva, Switzerland, that includes an RFtransceiver element (or, alternatively, a separate RF transmitter and RFreceiver).

The audio/visual system 60 further includes an external storagemechanism 80 and an internal storage mechanism 85, both of which are inelectronic communication with the controller 65. The external storagemechanism 80 is implemented as, for example, a CD-ROM drive, a DVD-ROMdrive, or the like, and is adapted to receive a suitable recordingmedium, such as a CD or DVD having one or more media files storedthereon in, for example, an uncompressed digital format. The internalstorage mechanism 85 is implemented as, for example, volatile and/ornon-volatile semiconductor memory or memories (e.g., RAM, ROM, EEPROM,Flash memory, or some combination thereof), and is particularly adaptedto store a plurality of media files in a digital format, such as anuncompressed digital format or a compressed digital format like the wellknown MP3 format defined in MPEG1 or the well known AAC (Advanced AudioCoding) format defined in MPEG2, among others, in the case of digitalmusic files.

In operation, in order to perform/play one or more media files, thecontroller 65 will, based on and in response to instructions receivedthrough the I/O section 70, access the desired digital media files fromeither the external storage mechanism 80 or the internal storagemechanism 85, as appropriate, decompress the media files if necessary(e.g., if the media files are audio (e.g., music) files stored in theMP3 format), and create one or more analog signals based on the accessed(and decompressed, if appropriate) digital media files using a suitabledigital-to-analog converter (preferably provided as part of thecontroller 65). The one or more analog signals are then provided to anA/V output subsystem 90 provided as part of the audio/visual system 60,which in turn transmits either or both of (depending on the particulartype of media involved) an audible audio (e.g., music) signal that canbe heard by and a video signal that can be viewed by one or moreindividuals. For this purpose, the A/V output subsystem 90 may includeone or more amplifiers for amplifying the analog signals that arereceived from the controller 65, one or more loudspeakers for outputtingsound based on the amplified analog signals, one or more audio outputports for outputting sound based on the amplified analog signals to, forexample, a set of headphones, and/or one or more video output ports foroutputting a signal (digital or analog) based on data from the mediafile for driving a display 100, which may be a television or othermonitor, such as, without limitation, an LCD television or LCD monitor.The A/V output subsystem 90 may, in one embodiment, include only audiocapabilities as is the case in many of today's automobile audio system,and thus the term A/V is meant to indicate either or both of audio andvideo capabilities.

As seen in FIG. 3, the audio/visual system 60 also preferably includesan A/V receiver/tuner subsystem 95 (which may include one or moreseparate components for providing the functionality described herein)for allowing the audio/visual system 60 to receive either or both ofradio station signals (e.g., AM and FM) that are transmitted over theair and video signals (e.g., TV stations) that are transmitted over theair or through a wired connection such as a cable system. The A/Vreceiver/tuner subsystem 95 may also include a satellite radio receiverelement to enable it to received satellite radio signals and informationas described elsewhere herein. The A/V receiver/tuner subsystem 95 is inelectronic communication with and under the control of the controller 65to control, for example, the particular frequency or channel to whichthe A/V receiver/tuner subsystem 95 is tuned. Also, the A/Vreceiver/tuner subsystem 95 is operatively coupled to the A/V outputsubsystem 90 which generates audile sounds and/or video signals fordriving athe display 100 as described elsewhere herein from the signalsreceived by the A/V receiver/tuner subsystem 95. As noted above, the A/Vreceiver/tuner subsystem 95 may include separate components forreceiving radio signals (including satellite radio signals) and videosignals, respectively, or may include all such functionality in a singlecomponent.

As described elsewhere herein, the handheld electronic device 4, and inparticular the memory 44 thereof, may store a plurality of digital mediafiles that may be selectively accessed and played, using the mediaapplication 56, through, for example, a loudspeaker system or headphonesand/or the display 12 of the handheld electronic device 4 depending onthe content of the media (i.e., whether it is audio or video).Furthermore, according to one particular aspect of the audio/visualsystem 60, the handheld electronic device 4 is able to establishwireless communications with the audio/visual system 60 (specificallybetween the short-range communications subsystem 47 of the handheldelectronic device 4 and the short-range communications subsystem 75 ofthe audio/visual system 60 using, for example, the BLUETOOTH® protocol)in order to transmit certain media (e.g., audio or video data) andcontrol related information between the handheld electronic device 4 andthe audio/visual system 60.

In particular, according to one aspect, a user of the handheldelectronic device 4, through the media application 56, can selectivelycause the processor 20 to access certain media files stored in thememory 44 and cause those media files to be wirelessly transmitted tothe audio/visual system 60. At the audio/visual system 60, the receivedmedia files are stored in the internal storage mechanism 85, where theymay be later accessed by the controller 65 for play using the A/V outputsubsystem 90 either as a result of instructions received through the I/Osection 70 or as a result of control instructions wirelessly receivedfrom the handheld electronic device 4 as described below.

According to another aspect, a user of the handheld electronic device 4,through the media application 56, can selectively cause the processor 20to access certain media files stored in the memory 44 and cause thosemedia files to be wirelessly “streamed” to the audio/visual system 60for immediate, real time play by the controller 65 and the A/V outputsubsystem 90. If the media files to be streamed are stored in the memory44 of the handheld electronic device 4 in a compressed format, such asthe MP3 format, those files may, in one embodiment, first bedecompressed by the processor 20 of the handheld electronic device 4 andthereafter be wirelessly transmitted (streamed) as uncompressed digitaldata which, when received by the controller 65 of the audio/visualsystem 60 is converted into an analog signal, if needed, and thenimmediately processed and output as sound and/or video by the A/V outputsubsystem 90. Alternatively, in another embodiment, if the media filesto be streamed are stored in the memory 44 of the handheld electronicdevice 4 in a compressed format, such as the MP3 format, those files maybe wirelessly transmitted (streamed) to the audio/visual system 60 inthe compressed format, in which case the controller 65 will immediatelydecompress the compressed file or files and create an analog signal, ifneeded, therefrom which is then immediately processed and output assound and/or video by the A/V output subsystem 90. As will beappreciated, the streaming of media, such as music or video, asdescribed herein may continue for as long as the wireless communicationschannel between the handheld electronic device 4 and the audio/visualsystem 60 is maintained.

According to yet a further aspect, a user of the handheld electronicdevice 4, through the media application 56 and an appropriate userinterface provided on the display 12 of the handheld electronic device4, can selectively cause the processor 20 to generate control signalsfor controlling the operation of the audio/visual system 60 and causethose control signals to be wirelessly transmitted to the audio/visualsystem 60 for execution by the controller 65 of the audio/visual system60. The control signals that may be generated by the handheld electronicdevice 4 include, in one embodiment, any control signal that can begenerated through the I/O section 70 of the audio/visual system 60, or,alternatively, in another embodiment, a selected subset of such controlsignals. For example, the control signals that may be generated by thehandheld electronic device 4 may include, without limitation, signalsfor controlling the volume of the sound output by the A/V outputsubsystem 90, the fade and/or balance of loudspeakers forming a part ofthe A/V output subsystem 90, the tuning of the A/V receiver/tunersubsystem 95 (i.e., the frequency or channel to which it is tuned), theselection and subsequent play (as described elsewhere herein) of musicor video files stored in the internal storage mechanism 85 and/or storedon a medium, such as a CD or DVD, received in the external storagemechanism 80, the generation of playlists and the queuing of selectedmedia content such as songs or movies, the skipping forward or backwardin a particular piece of media content such as a song or movie, fastforwarding or rewinding in a particular piece of media content such as asong or movie, and the control of repeat and random selection ofparticular media content such as songs or movies.

According to a further aspect, the embodiments described herein mayprovide for two-way communication between the handheld electronic device4 and the audio/visual system 60 (through the short-range communicationssubsystem 47 and the short-range communications subsystem 75) whereinthe communication from the audio/visual system 60 to the handheldelectronic device 4 may include: (i) the transfer of media that isstored on the internal storage mechanism 85 and/or the external storagemechanism 80 of the audio/visual system 60 to the handheld electronicdevice 4 (including on a file by file basis or by streaming as describedelsewhere herein), and/or (ii) the transfer of descriptive data (forexample, encoded in XML or any other suitable format) relating to thatmedia, such as, without limitation, the name of the song, artist, album,duration, etc., so that the media descriptive data can be displayed onthe handheld electronic device 4. In addition, (ii) could happen without(i), meaning that the media files would remain stored on theaudio/visual system 60, while the media descriptive data relatingthereto is received by and stored and/or selectively displayed on thehandheld electronic device 4 so that the user can make a selection onthe handheld electronic device 4 and cause the media to be played on theaudio/visual system 60 through appropriate command signals sent to theaudio/visual system 60 by the handheld electronic device 4 as describedelsewhere herein. In addition, the two way communication may alsoinclude the transfer from the handheld electronic device 4 to theaudio/visual system 60 of descriptive data (for example, encoded in XMLor any other suitable format) relating to the media that is stored andavailable on the handheld electronic device 4. As a result, the handheldelectronic device 4 will be able to compile and display on the display12 one or more “playlists” which indicate the media content that isavailable for play (on either the handheld electronic device 4, theaudio/visual system 60, or both) under the control of the handheldelectronic device 4. The “playlists” just described may indicate whethereach particular media file is stored on the handheld electronic device4, the audio/visual system 60 or both, and may display and or provideaccess to, such as though a selection operation on the handheldelectronic device 4, the descriptive data that is associated therewith.The “playlists” may also be made available for display on theaudio/visual system 60 through the I/O section 70.

Furthermore, the two way communication between the handheld electronicdevice 4 and the audio/visual system 60 may include the communication ofmedia descriptive data from the audio/visual system 60 to the handheldelectronic device 4 that includes what is commonly referred to as“sideband” (also “side-band”) data relating to the radio/videostations/channels that are being played on and/or available on (i.e.,may be played on) the A/V receiver/tuner subsystem 95. As is known, such“sideband” data is commonly provided in connection with satellite radiotransmissions (e.g., XM® satellite radio) and is often displayed(selectively) to the user of the audio/visual system 60 though the I/Osection 70. The “sideband” data may include, for example and withoutlimitation, the name of the song, artist, album, duration, etc. that iscurrently being played on the current station, and information relatingto other stations/channels that may be received by the A/Vreceiver/tuner subsystem 95, such as the format (i.e., type of mediasuch as news, sports, country/western, etc.) of the station/channel andthe media that is currently playing on or will be played on thatstation/channel, all of which may be used to facilitate selection andnavigation by the user. In particular, as a result of the “sideband”data being sent to the handheld electronic device 4, the user of thehandheld electronic device 4 may navigate through and select certainmedia by, for example, causing the handheld electronic device 4 toscan/search through the “sideband” data to find a particular type ofstation/channel (e.g., traffic, rock or sports) based on certain userinputs (e.g., search terms or words) or by the user manually searchingthrough the received and displayed “sideband” data to find a particulartype of station/channel. Once a selection is made, the handheldelectronic device 4 may then issue a control command that is sent to theaudio/visual system 60 (in the manner described elsewhere herein) thatcauses the A/V receiver/tuner subsystem 95 to be tuned/set to theselected station/channel.

Thus, through the above described communications steps, the user of thehandheld electronic device 4 will have a synchronized global view on thehandheld electronic device 4 of all of the media content stored onand/or available through (e.g., particular radio or TV stations) boththe handheld electronic device 4 and the audio/visual system 60, whichview will preferably include the descriptive data relating to the media.In one particular embodiment, the above described transfer of mediadescriptive data (with or without media files) will occur automaticallybetween the handheld electronic device 4 and the audio/visual system 60as soon as they are within communications range of one another (e.g., assoon as a BLUETOOTH® piconet is established). In other words, theexchange of information between the two “smart devices” (the handheldelectronic device 4 and the audio/visual system 60) will occur in anunsolicited manner (i.e., not in response to a command received from theother device to send information), with each device acting as a targetor sink for the other. As a result, the synchronized global view ofmedia content available on the handheld electronic device 4 will changedynamically as it comes into and out of range of (e.g., pairs andun-pairs with) different audio/visual systems 60.

To avoid confusion, the words “sideband”, “sideband information”,“sideband data” and similar uses of sideband will be understood hereinto mean or refer to any data about a song, a music station, a type ofmusic, etc. This includes what is typically called “sideband”information for satellite radio stations, as well as meaning theinformation used to create playlists and other attributes dealing withindividual media files. For the later, “sideband” may comprise a title,play time, performer, songwriter, or other information dealing with thespecific song, movie clip, etc. When used with radio or televisionbroadcasting, it also includes other information such as the “type” ofprogram or music the media is considered to be. All such information isunderstood to be within the concept of “sideband information”, “sidebanddata”, or similar use of the word “sideband”.

The embodiments described herein therefore provide for: (i) the transferof media files between the handheld electronic device 4 and theaudio/visual system 60, (ii) the transmission of control commands fromthe handheld electronic device 4 to the audio/visual system 60 forcontrolling the function and operation of the audio/visual system 60through a user interface provided on the handheld electronic device 4,and (iii) the unsolicited transfer of media descriptive data between thehandheld electronic device 4 and the audio/visual system 60 to create asynchronized global view on the handheld electronic device 4 and/or theaudio/visual system 60 of all of the media content currently stored onand/or available through both the handheld electronic device 4 and theaudio/visual system 60.

In another embodiment, the handheld electronic device 4 is able todownload information from a third party source (e.g., a web site) over acommunications network such as the Internet relating to thestations/channels that may be currently received by the A/Vreceiver/tuner subsystem 95 based on, for example, geography (i.e., thecurrent location of the handheld electronic device 4 and theaudio/visual system 60), and then the user could make a selection basedon the downloaded and displayed data. A control command could then begenerated by the handheld electronic device 4 and sent to theaudio/visual system 60 (as described elsewhere herein) to cause the A/Vreceiver/tuner subsystem 95 to be tuned/set to the selectedstation/channel. Alternatively, the control command could cause themedia content form the selected channel to be sent to the handheldelectronic device 4. This embodiment would be particularly advantageouswhen there is no “sideband” data available for the A/V receiver/tunersubsystem 95 that can be transferred to the handheld electronic device4.

In still another embodiment, the system 58 can be adapted toautomatically switch from a mode wherein media content is playing on thehandheld electronic device 4 only (as described elsewhere herein) to amode wherein the media content is streamed to the audio/visual system 60for play thereby (as described elsewhere herein) as soon as the handheldelectronic device 4 and the audio/visual system 60 are withincommunications range of one another (e.g., as soon as a BLUETOOTH®piconet is established). This switch may occur in the middle of aparticular piece of media content, such as in the middle of song. Also,the system 58 can be adapted to automatically switch back to playingmedia content on the handheld electronic device 4 when the handheldelectronic device 4 and the audio/visual system 60 are no longer withincommunications range of one another. For example, the user may belistening to an album on the bandheld electronic device 4 while walkingto his or her car. When the user arrives at his or her car, the handheldelectronic device 4 will pair with the audio/visual system 60 formingpart of the car, and the handheld electronic device 4 will, according tothis embodiment, automatically switch to streaming music to the caraudio/visual system 60. Then, when the user reaches his or herdestination and exits the car, the pairing will be terminated and thehandheld electronic device 4 will automatically switch back to playingthe music on the handheld electronic device 4 only.

In a further embodiment, the handheld device 4 and system 60 maysynchronize themselves for the play switchover at song boundaries. Afterthe two smart systems work together to create a global play list fromthe combined media files on both, rather than streaming the media datato the system 60, the handheld may send a control signal indicating atiming, the timing being when system 60 is to start ply of the next song(or other media event) on the global list. The handheld will (in mostembodiments) have this information, as it knows how long a given mediafile takes to play, its start time, and therefore its end time. Uponreaching the end time, the handheld will not play the next media file;rather, A/V system 60 automatically play the next song (or other actionassociated with the next media file). It is also possible to synchronizethe play between both systems, with both systems playing the media fileconcurrently, using timing and sound analysis. This embodiment issignificantly more complex than the other two just disclosed, so is notcurrently expected to be as popular. In high-end handhelds, however,this could be a very nice additional feature over less-expensivehandhelds.

As used herein, “play synchronization” or “play synchronicity” refers toany method, included but not limited to those described above, whichallows two devices to hand-off playing a sequence of media files, or theplay of a single media file, from one device to another in a mannerpleasing to the human ear.

In yet another embodiment, the system 58 can be adapted to automaticallysuppress the playing of media on the audio/visual system 60 (i.e., turndown volume or stop play altogether) by sending a control signal fromthe handheld electronic device 4 to the audio/visual system 60 when atelephone call is received by the handheld electronic device 4. Thesystem 58 can be also be adapted to automatically resume the playing ofmedia on the audio/visual system 60 (by sending a control signal fromthe handheld electronic device 4 to the audio/visual system 60) when thetelephone call is ended. Alternatively, or in addition to the justdescribed embodiment, the handheld electronic device 4 can be providedwith a sensor which senses the current level of ambient noise and canautomatically manage the volume of media content that is being played onthe audio/visual system 60 (by sending a control signal from thehandheld electronic device 4 to the audio/visual system 60) based on thelevel of ambient noise that is sensed.

In still a further embodiment, the handheld electronic device 4 maystore (in the memory 44) a profile for the user that specifies certainoperational parameters for the audio/visual system 60, such as, withoutlimitation, volume, fading, speaker balance, etc. As soon as thebandheld electronic device 4 and the audio/visual system 60 are withincommunications range of one another (e.g., as soon as a BLUETOOTH®piconet is established), the handheld electronic device 4 in thisembodiment sends one or more control commands to the audio/visual system60 which causes the operational parameters for the audio/visual system60 to be set as specified in the stored profile. In this manner,multiple users of the audio/visual system 60 having different handheldelectronic devices 4 with different stored profiles can automaticallyhave the audio/visual system 60 set to suit their preferences.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a system 105 for wirelessly transferringmedia files to and controlling the operation of a legacy audio/visualsystem 110 from a handheld electronic device 4 according to analternative embodiment. The legacy audio/visual system 110 in thisembodiment is an audio/visual system that does not have the wirelesscommunications, computer control and/or media storage capabilities ofthe audio/visual system 60 shown in FIG. 3. For example, the legacyaudio/visual system 110 may be an older audio/visual system such as anolder car stereo system or home stereo or video system. As is known,such systems typically include a number of input ports, such asauxiliary and A/V input ports, for making a wired connection thereto.This embodiment, through the use of a wireless interface controller 115,described below, allows the system 115 to have all of the functionalitydescribed above in connection with the system 58 in FIG. 3.

As seen in FIG. 4, the system 105 includes a wireless interfacecontroller 115 that is adapted to be connected to the legacyaudio/visual system 110 through a wired connection 120. For example, thewired connection 120 may be made to the auxiliary or A/V input port orports of the legacy A/V system 110. The wireless interface controller115 includes many of the components of the audio/visual system 60described elsewhere herein in connection with FIG. 3. In the particularembodiment shown in FIG. 4, the wireless interface controller 115includes a controller 65, an I/O section 70, a short-rangecommunications subsystem 75, an external storage mechanism 80, aninternal storage mechanism 85, and an A/V receiver/tuner subsystem 95.Preferably, the wired connection from the legacy audio/visual system 110is made through the I/O section 70. The wireless interface controller115 is able to wirelessly receive media files and control signals fromthe handheld electronic device 4 (in the same manner as the audio/visualsystem 60) and cause the media files (which may be stored in theinternal storage mechanism 85) to be played through and/or the controlsignals to be executed through the legacy audio/visual system 110. Inthis sense, the legacy audio/visual system 110 acts in manner that issimilar to the A/V output subsystem 90. For example, and withoutlimitation, media files stored on the handheld electronic device 4 maybe wirelessly transmitted from the handheld electronic device 4 in astreaming fashion to the short-range communications subsystem 75 of thewireless interface controller 115 and then, under the control of thecontroller 65 and through the wired connection 120, be caused to beplayed on the legacy audio/visual system 110. Also, a control signal maybe wirelessly transmitted from the handheld electronic device 4 to theshort-range communications subsystem 75 which is then provided to thecontroller 65, in response to which the controller 65 will access amedia file or files stored on the internal storage mechanism 85 or onstorage media inserted into the external storage mechanism 80 and causethat accessed media file or files to be played on the legacyaudio/visual system 110. In addition, any of the two-way communicationsthat are described elsewhere herein in connection with the audio/visualsystem 60 in which media descriptive data is transferred between thehandheld electronic device 4 and the audio/visual system 60 may occurbetween the handheld electronic device 4 and the wireless interfacecontroller 115. It should be understood that these examples are notmeant to be limiting and that instead the system 105, through theinteraction between the wireless interface controller 115 and the legacyaudio/visual system 110, may perform any of the functionality describedelsewhere herein in connection with the system 58 shown in FIG. 3. Inthis sense, the wireless interface controller 115 and the legacyaudio/visual system 110 together act as an audio/visual system that issimilar to the audio/visual system 60 shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram which illustrates a new protocol layerthat is used on a BLUETOOTH® piconet. As seen in FIG. 5, a smarthandheld device 500, which may be, for example, the handheld electronicdevice 4 described elsewhere herein, wirelessly communicates with smarttarget device 508, which may be, for example, the audio/visual system 60described elsewhere herein, over a BLUETOOTH® piconet 510. Typically (inprior art systems) BLUETOOTH® has been used to transport digital data,or digital data coupled with one-way control data between a controldevice and a target device (that need not be a smart device). Exemplardigital data is media data representative of media content (e.g., a songor video content) that is available through the control device or thetarget device such as, for example, data stored in one or more storedmedia files, such as an MP3 file. Exemplar one-way control data arecontrol signals that instruct a target device to take specific actionssuch as: volume up, volume down, put data on a visual display (ifapplicable, such as the artist playing the current music), and similarcommands. As noted above, to use digital data and one-way control datadoes not require a smart target device.

According to an aspect of the embodiments described herein, a BLUETOOTH®communications stack is provided to enable communication between thesmart handheld device 500 and the smart target device 508 that includesa layer for transporting digital data 506 (such as the media data justdescribed), a layer for transporting one-way control data 504 (such asthe control signals just described), and a metadata communications layer502. Using encoding such as XML, the two smart devices (the smarthandheld device 500 and the smart target device 508) can passinformation back and forth, above the lower layers (the layer fortransporting digital data 506 and the layer for transporting one-waycontrol data 504), using the metadata communications layer 502 to allowthe cooperative control of A/V equipment and data, including theconstruction and sharing of media descriptive data relating to mediacurrently available from the smart handheld device 500 and/or the smarttarget device 508 as described elsewhere herein, such as playlists,selection sequences, user preference templates, and other higher-levelinformation that makes use of the information on the lower layers.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart which illustrates the use of the communicationsstack just described. Referring to FIG. 6, the actions corresponding tobox 600 include those needed to establish a BLUETOOTH® piconet. Thisincludes the devices (the smart handheld device 500 and the smart targetdevice 508) first becoming aware of each other when they become inrange, to finally establishing a piconet between the devices. Theparticulars of the steps which accomplish this are well known and thuswill not be described in detail herein.

Continuing into box 602, the two devices (the smart handheld device 500and the smart target device 508) use the metadata communications layer502 to exchange one or more of information about their current states,media descriptive data relating to media currently available from thesmart handheld device 500 and/or the smart target device 508,information about the user's (of the smart handheld device 500)preferences, and information needed to execute a cooperative hand-off toallow seamless (to the user) changing of play of media from the smarthandheld device 500 to the smart target device 508. The parametersinvolved in such a handoff may include anything deemed necessary for thepleasure of the listener, including but not limited to thesynchronization of the media data being broadcast by each device, thefading of the smart handheld device 500, the increase in volume and/orsimultaneous visual display on the smart target device 508, to finallyswitching over entirely to the smart target device 508. Any and all suchconsiderations can be expressed as data exchanged by the two smartdevices to enable the desired level of seamless transfer of output fromone device to the next, and are fully contemplated herein.

Moving into box 604, the actions corresponding to this box include allthe data that will be transferred using the layer for transportingdigital data 506 and the layer for transporting one-way control data 504of the communications stack shown in FIG. 5. Digital data 506 willalmost always be present in some form, as information at the metadatacommunications layer 502 and associated media (digital) data isexchanged between the two smart devices. The presence of the layer fortransporting one-way control data 504 will be optional in someimplementations. If the two devices have exchanged enough informationusing the metadata communications layer 502, there may little or no needfor the layer for transporting one-way control data 504. This presence,absence, or amount of use of the layer for transporting one-way controldata 504 will be implementation dependent.

Now discussing FIG. 7, shown in 7 a is smart handheld device 700 using alogical channel 702 to be in operable communication with smart targetdevice 704. Logical channel 702 is implemented on wireless connection706. If this were a BLUETOOTH® application, wireless connection 706would be the BLUETOOTH® piconet, and logical channel 702 wouldcorrespond to the “U” channel (user channel) at the BLUETOOTH®controller-to-host interface. Continuing on to FIG. 7 b, illustrated isa packetized logical connection. Packets 7 b-1 show a packet stream ofdata packets. They are all of type 708, containing data. Packet stream 7b-2 has data packets 708, but also has shared data and controlinformation packet type 710. The divider in packet 710 separates thedata from the control information. The divider may be fixed, or may beindicated in the packet header. The sender of packet type 710 wouldinclude control information, such as a command to turn the volume down,as well as A/V data. The receiver of packet 710 would separate the datafrom the control information and would pass the separated information totheir respective applications. Continuing to packer stream 7 b-3, shownare data packets 708 and control information packets 712. The controlinformation packets are entirely devoted to control information, and areindicated by a tag or bit sequence in the header, shown here as a “C”towards the beginning of the packet. Upon receipt, the receiver wouldseparate the two types of packets and send the data or informationtherein to there respective applications. Finally, also illustrated ispacket sequence 7 b-4 where there is no default packet type. Each packethas header information which designates its type, illustrated here aseither a data packet “D” or a control information packet “C”. Thepackets' information or data is sent to the associated application uponreceipt, depending on the packet type.

Looking now at FIG. 7 c, it is also possible to combine data and controlinformation in unframed digital traffic 718. One way this may beaccomplished is to insert an alert sequence 720 in the digital traffic,which alerts the receiver that the bits following the alert are acontrol sequence rather than continued data sequences. The controlsequence 722 is then inserted into the data stream, being separated outby the receiver as a result of the alert signal. Note that the alert maybe an integral part of the control sequence, so there may not be aseparately inserted alert sequence as shown.

If the wireless communications was embodied in a BLUETOOTH® piconet,then the packet sequences shown generally in 7 b could be seen in the“U” channel at the controller/host interface. The “U” channel, itself alogical channel, could be used to implement at least two higher-levellogical channels, a data channel and a control information channel. Thedata and the control information are simultaneously transmitted andreceived (in the same packet stream).

Continuing with the BLUETOOTH® embodiment, logical data and controlinformation channels may also be implemented using the BLUETOOTH®logical link control and adaptation protocol (L2CAP) module (notillustrated). The L2CAP module, which must be on both the sending andreceiving sides, uses the U channel to implement a plurality ofhigher-level logical channels. Two logical channels, data and controlinformation, may be established between the sender and receiver usingthe L2CAP module, which handles all the normal issues associated withthis type of resource sharing (multiplexing, de-multiplexing, logicalchannel mutual resource management, QoS, priority, etc.).

FIG. 8 generally shows the flow for simultaneous sending data andcontrol information over a same digital channel. The actions associatedwith box 800 are those needed to establish a wireless connection betweentwo devices. The particulars will depend on the embodiment; for aBLUETOOTH® wireless connection this is the establishment of a piconet;for a simple IR connection this may mean simply having the transmittingand receiving controllers in the two devices powered up, having beenpreviously programmed to understand each others' signals. Continuinginto box 802, the actions are those needed to set up a digitalcommunications channel in a manner consistent with the underlyingwireless connection. In the exemplar BLUETOOTH® embodiment, thiscorresponds to the “U” channel being available at the controller/hostinterface. In the exemplar IR embodiment, the channel exists as a resultof the devices being able to transmit and receive (there is a singledigital communications channel). The actions corresponding to box 804are any and all those required involved with sending/receiving data(i.e., MP3 files or streamed music) over the digital channel establishedin box 802. The actions corresponding to box 806 are any and all thoseassociated with sending/receiving control sequences on the same digitalchannel that was established in box 802. The method used tosimultaneously send/receive data and control information on a samedigital channel will depend on the underlying wireless technology andthe associated digital channel; exemplar embodiments were discussed inFIG. 7.

FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate various methods and devices usable to allowboth data (A/V data in particular) and control sequences to beinterspersed on a same digital channel. This results in the data andcontrol information being sent and received functionally simultaneously,without apparent interruption.

Thus, the embodiments described herein provide systems wherein mediafiles can be downloaded from a handheld electronic device to anaudio/visual system, such as, without limitation, an automobileaudio/visual system or a home entertainment system, wherein the samehandheld electronic device can also control the function and operationof the audio/visual system through a user interface provided on thehandheld electronic device by sending control instructions. This mayalso be called control information, and means any information sent tothe A/V system that in any ways affects the A/V system, including butnot limited to the media currently stored, on either the handheld or theremote A/V system. Typically the effect will have to do with the playingof the media, how or in what order, but it is not limited to that typeof information. For example, also included is control information thatmight change how a display appears, changes side-band data displays, apossible future order of media to be played, a preference for competingmedia that is only probabilistically going to be played at a futuretime, the exchange of media files, synchronization of play between thehandheld and the A/V system, etc.

While preferred embodiments have been described and illustrated above,it should be understood that these are exemplary and are not to beconsidered as limiting. Additions, deletions, substitutions, and othermodifications can be made without departing from the spirit or scopehereof. Accordingly, the invention is not to be considered as limited bythe foregoing description but is only limited by the scope of theappended claims.

1. A handheld device comprising: a processor; a memory configured tostore a plurality of media files and in operable communication with saidprocessor; an RF transceiver adapted for wireless communications and inoperable communication with said processor; an input subsystem inoperable communication with said processor, said input subsystemcomprised of at least one input component; an output subsystem inoperable communication with said processor, said output subsystemcomprised of at least one output component; wherein said processor, withexecuting software, is configured to send, using said RF transceiver andin a manner intended to be receivable by at least one target device, oneof said media files; and wherein said processor is further configured tosend, using said RF transceiver and in a manner also intended to bereceivable by said at least one target device, control informationintended to affect how said media file may be used or presented.
 2. Thehandheld device of claim 1 where said control information comprises atleast one of a priority of play, and, side-band information associatedwith said sent media file.
 3. The handheld device of claim 1 where saidcontrol information comprises a request for side-band information forany media files currently stored on said at least one target device. 4.The handheld device of claim 3 where said processor is configured toreceive sideband information associated with at least one media file notin said memory, send information about the file to said outputsubsystem, and in response to an input from said input subsystem sendaddition control information related to an order to in which play orpresent said media files.
 5. The handheld device of claim 3 where saidprocessor is configured to receive sideband information associated withat least one media file not in said memory, send information about thefile to said output subsystem, and in response to an input from saidinput subsystem create an ordered list for playing media files,including media files not on said handheld.
 6. The handheld device ofclaim 1 where said sent media file comprises streaming media data; and,said control information comprises a command directed at said targetdevice to enter a mode where said streaming data is played immediately.7. The handheld device of claim 1 where said processor is configured tosend, using said RF transceiver, control information and media files ona same digital channel.
 8. The handheld device of claim 7 where saiddigital channel is further configured for use as two logical channels,each logical channel usable concurrently.
 9. The handheld device ofclaim 7 where said digital channel is a packetized channel.
 10. Thehandheld device of claim 9 where said digitized, packetized channel isfurther configured as two logical packetized channels.
 11. The handhelddevice of claim 9 where said digitized, packetized channel is embodiedas a “U” channel in a BLUETOOTH® piconet.
 12. A handheld devicecomprising: a processor; a memory configured to store a plurality ofmedia files and in operable communication with said processor; an RFtransceiver adapted for wireless communications and in operablecommunication with said processor; an input subsystem in operablecommunication with said processor, the input subsystem comprised of atleast one input component; an output subsystem in operable communicationwith said processor, said output subsystem comprised of at least oneoutput component; wherein said processor, with executable software, isconfigured to: receive via said RF transceiver, information about mediafiles not in said memory, said information not received in response toinput from said input subsystem; integrate said received informationwith information about any media files in said memory; send, to saidoutput subsystem, said integrated information.
 13. The handheld deviceof claim 12 where said processor is configured to receive input fromsaid input subsystem, said input indicating an ordered list in which toplay said media files, including media files not in said memory.
 14. Thehandheld device of claim 13 where said processor is configured to: send,using said RF transceiver, a request for copies of any media files thatwill be needed to play the ordered list; receive, using said RFtransceiver, the requested media files; send, according to the orderedlist, output to said output subsystem, the output based on said mediafiles.
 15. The handheld device of claim 13 where said processor isconfigured to: send, using said RF transceiver, control informationcomprised of said ordered list; and, send, using said RF transceiver,media files on said ordered list whose information was not from saidmemory in said handheld.
 16. The handheld device of claim 12 where saidprocessor is configured to: send, using said RF transceiver, someside-band information on a currently-playing media file and a next mediafile; receive, from said RF transceiver, an indicator which indicates ifthe media file associated with said sent side-band information is or isnot resident on an A/V system associated with said indicator; send,using said RF transceiver, one of: a copy of the currently-playing mediafile only if said indicator indicates the currently-playing media fileis not resident and a copy of the next media file only if said indicatorindicates the next media file is not resident; and, only sends a copy ofthe next media file only if said indicator indicates the next media fileis not resident.
 17. The handheld device of claim 16 where saidprocessor is configured to: send, using said RF transceiver, a controlsignal indicating said currently-playing media file is to be played insynchronicity with the handheld, if play synchronicity is functionallyavailable; send, using said RF transceiver, a control signal indicatingwhen to being playing said next media file if play synchronicity is notfunctionally available.
 18. The handheld device of claim 12 where saidprocessor is configured to send, using said RF transceiver, controlinformation and media files on a same digital channel.
 19. The handhelddevice of claim 18 where said digital channel is configured for use astwo logical channels, each logical channel usable concurrently.
 20. Thehandheld device of claim 18 where said digital channel is a packetizedchannel.
 21. The handheld device of claim 20 where said digitized,packetized channel is further configured as two logical packetizedchannels.
 22. The handheld device of claim 20 where said digitized,packetized channel is embodied as a “U” channel in a BLUETOOTH® piconet.23. An interfacing device comprising: a processor; a memory configuredto store a plurality of media files and in operable communication withsaid processor; an RF transceiver adapted for wireless communicationsand in operable communication with said processor; an output port,configured for a wired connection and to send signals configured to bereceivable as playable signals on at least one external A/V system;wherein said processor, with executing software, is configured toreceive using said RF transceiver at least one media file and storessaid media file in said memory; and said processor is configured toreceive, using said RF transceiver, control information, said controlinformation configured to affect either one of how and when media files,including said received media file, are sent to said output port. 24.The interfacing device of claim 23 where said control informationcomprises a request for side-band information on media files stored insaid memory.
 25. The interfacing device of claim 24 where said processoris configured to send, using said RF transceiver, side-band informationassociated with each media file in said memory responsive to saidcontrol information request for side-band information.
 26. The interfacedevice of claim 25 where said processor is configured to: receive, oversaid RF transceiver, an ordered list indicating which media files tosend to said output port in what order; and, send, out said output port,a sequence of signals usable to display or broadcast the contents ofmedia files, according to said order.
 27. The interface device of claim23 where said processor is configured to send and receive, using said RFtransceiver, control information and media files on a same digitalchannel.
 28. The interface device of claim 27 where said digital channelis configured for use as two logical channels, each logical channelusable concurrently.
 29. The interface device of claim 27 where saiddigital channel is a packetized channel.
 30. The interface device ofclaim 29 where said digitized, packetized channel is further configuredas two logical packetized channels.
 31. The interface device of claim 29where said digitized, packetized channel is embodied as a “U” channel ina BLUETOOTH® piconet.
 32. A method of using a handheld devicecomprising: storing at least one media file on a memory in said handhelddevice, said memory configured to store a plurality of media files;sending, using an RF transceiver adapted for wireless communications insaid handheld device, a stored media file, said sent media fileconfigured to be receivable by at least one target device that is notsaid handheld device; sending, using said RF transceiver, controlinformation configured to be receivable by said at least one targetdevice, and further configured to affect some aspect of how or when saidmedia file is used or presented.
 33. The method of claim 32 where saidcontrol information comprises at least one of a priority of play, and,side-band information associated with said sent media file.
 34. Themethod of claim 32 where said control information comprises a requestfor side-band information for media files currently stored on said atleast one target device.
 35. The method of claim 34 comprising:receiving sideband information associated with at least one media filenot in said memory; sending information about the file to an outputsubsystem in said handheld device, and in response to an input from aninput subsystem in said handheld device, sending, using said RFtransceiver, addition control information related to an order to inwhich play or present said media files.
 36. The method of claim 34comprising: receiving sideband information associated with at least onemedia file not in said memory; sending information about the file to anoutput subsystem in said handheld device, and in response to an inputfrom an input subsystem in said handheld device creating an ordered listfor playing media files, including media files not in said memory. 37.The method of claim 32 where said sent media file comprises streamingmedia data; and, said control information comprises a command configuredto direct said target device to enter a mode where said streaming datais played immediately.
 38. The method of claim 32 comprising sending,using said RF transceiver, control information and media files on a samedigital channel.
 39. The method of claim 38 where said digital channelis further configured for use as two logical channels, each logicalchannel usable concurrently.
 40. The method of claim 38 where saiddigital channel is a packetized channel.
 41. The method of claim 40where said digitized, packetized channel is further configured as twological packetized channels.
 42. The method of claim 41 where saiddigitized, packetized channel is a “U” channel in a BLUETOOTH® piconet.43. A method of using a handheld device comprising: storing at least onemedia file on a memory in said handheld device, said memory configuredto store a plurality of media files; receiving, using an RF transceiveradapted for wireless communications in said handheld device, sidebandinformation about media files, said sideband information not received inresponse to an input from an input subsystem on said handheld device;comparing, using said sideband information, media files available insaid memory and media files associated with said sideband information;creating an integrated list of media files using said receivedinformation with information about media files in said memory; sending,to an output subsystem in said handheld device, a representation of saidintegrated information.
 44. The method of claim 43 comprising receivinginput from an input subsystem in said handheld device, said input one ofindicating or accepting an ordered list in which to play said mediafiles, including media files not in said memory.
 45. The method of claim44 comprising: sending, using said RF transceiver, a request for copiesof any media files that will be needed to play the ordered list;receiving, using said RF transceiver, the requested media files;sending, according to the ordered list, output to an output subsystem onsaid handheld, the output based on said media files.
 46. The method ofclaim 43 comprising: sending, using said RF transceiver, controlinformation comprised of said integrated information; and, sending,using said RF transceiver, media files associated with said integratedinformation whose sideband information was not in said received sidebandinformation.
 47. The method of claim 43 comprising: sending, using saidRF transceiver, some side-band information on a currently-playing mediafile and a next media file; receiving, from said RF transceiver, anindicator which indicates if the media files associated with said sentside-band information are or are not resident on an A/V systemassociated with said indicator; sending, using said RF transceiver, oneof: a copy of the currently-playing media file if said indicatorindicates the currently-playing media file is not resident and a copy ofthe next media file if said indicator indicates the next media file isnot resident; and, sending a copy of the next media file only if saidindicator indicates the next media file is not resident.
 48. The methodof claim 47 comprising: sending, using said RF transceiver, a controlsignal indicating said currently-playing media file is to be played insynchronicity with the handheld, if play synchronicity is functionallyavailable; sending, using said RF transceiver, a control signalindicating when to being playing said next media file if playsynchronicity with the currently-paying media is not functionallyavailable.
 49. The method of claim 43 comprising sending, using said RFtransceiver, control information and media files on a same digitalchannel.
 50. The method of claim 49 where said digital channel isconfigured for use as two logical channels, each logical channel usableconcurrently.
 51. The method of claim 49 where said digital channel is apacketized channel.
 52. The method of claim 51 where said digitized,packetized channel is configured as two logical packetized channels. 53.The method of claim 51 where said digitized, packetized channel is a “U”channel in a BLUETOOTH® piconet.
 54. An method of using an interfacingdevice comprising: receiving, using an RF transceiver operably in saidinterfacing device, at least one media file and storing said media filein a memory, said memory in said interfacing device and configured tostore a plurality of media files; receiving, using said RF transceiver,control information, said control information configured to affecteither one of how or when media files, including said received mediafile, in said memory are to be sent to an output port operably in saidinterface device, said output port configured for a wired connection andto send signals configured to be receivable as playable signals on atleast one external A/V system.
 55. The method of claim 54 where saidcontrol information comprises a request for side-band information onmedia files stored in said memory.
 56. The method of claim 55 comprisingsending, using said RF transceiver, side-band information associatedwith each media file in said memory responsive to said controlinformation request for side-band information.
 57. The method of claim54 comprising: receiving, over said RF transceiver, an ordered listindicating which media files to send to said output port in what order;and, sending, to said output port, a sequence of signals usable todisplay or broadcast the contents of media files, according to saidorder.
 58. The method of claim 23 comprising sending and receiving,using said RF transceiver, control information and media files on a samedigital channel.
 59. The method of claim 58 where said digital channelis further configured for use as two logical channels, each logicalchannel usable concurrently.
 60. The method of claim 58 where saiddigital channel is a packetized channel.
 61. The method of claim 60where said digitized, packetized channel is further configured as twological packetized channels.
 62. The method of claim 60 where saiddigitized, packetized channel is a “U” channel in a BLUETOOTH® piconet.